Raising Dairy Cattle: Key Points of Breed Selection and Feeding Management

Dairy cattle farming is an animal husbandry activity whose main purpose is obtaining milk, and it is an important part of the dairy industry. Through long-term selective breeding, dairy cattle have outstanding milk-producing performance and are the foundation for the production of milk and various dairy products. With the growing demand for dairy products such as fresh milk, yogurt and cheese, dairy cattle farming occupies an important position in modern agriculture.

Common dairy cattle breeds include Holstein and Jersey. The Holstein, commonly known as the black-and-white dairy cow, is large in size and high in milk yield, and is the most widely raised dairy breed worldwide; the Jersey is smaller in size with a higher milk fat percentage, making it suitable for producing richly flavored dairy products. In addition, dual-purpose breeds such as Simmental can both produce milk and be fattened, and are also raised in some areas.

The key to raising dairy cattle well lies in scientific feeding management. The daily ration is usually based on roughage such as corn silage, hay and alfalfa, combined with an appropriate amount of concentrate, to ensure a balanced supply of protein, minerals and vitamins, while also providing sufficient clean drinking water. Barns should be kept ventilated and dry, warm in winter and cool in summer, and manure should be cleaned up promptly to reduce the breeding of pathogens.

In daily management, attention should also be paid to milking hygiene and disease prevention and control. Teats should be washed and disinfected before and after milking to prevent mastitis; regular hoof trimming, deworming and vaccination can reduce the risk of hoof diseases and infectious diseases. During high summer temperatures, dairy cattle are prone to heat stress, which can be alleviated by shading, ventilation and sprinkling.

Overall, dairy cattle farming requires relatively large investment and a long cycle, and places high demands on technical and management levels, but with proper operation the returns are relatively stable. After composting, cow manure returned to the fields can improve the soil and achieve a virtuous cycle of combining crop farming with livestock raising. For those preparing to enter the industry, first learning feeding techniques and understanding local market demand, then gradually expanding the scale, is a relatively prudent path.